Step-ladder.



PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

- E. W. MILLER.

STEP LADDER.

8-SHE 7 No. 846,228. I PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907 I E. W. MILLER.

STEP LADDER. APPLICATION rum) JAN.13,'1906.

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ELLIS W. MILLER, OF GREENSBURG, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO JOHN BATTERTON, OF GREENSBURG, INDIANA.

STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application filed January 13,1906. Serial No. 295.938.

To (til w/tom it 77mg concern.-

Be it known that I, ELLls W. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greensburg, in the county of Decatur and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to step-ladders, the object in view being to provide what may be termed a combination step-ladder which may be used either as an ordinary step-ladder or as a leaning ladder, provision being made whereby the ladder when used under either arrangement above described may be extended or lengthened and shortened to any extent within the limits of the step and brace portions of the same.

A further object of the invention is to so combine and arrange the parts of the ladderas to adapt it for use on stairways and other inclines.

Incidental to the uses and advantages above stated a further object of the invention is to provide forthoroughly bracing all parts of the ladder without adding materially to the weight of the ladder as a whole.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination-ladder embodying the present invention shown set up in readiness for use and partly extended. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same shown adjusted for use on a stairway. Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross-section through the front of the ladder. Fig. A is a rear elevation of the braces and brace extensions. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section through the pivotally-connected upper ends of the side bars and braces. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross-section through the side bars and extension-bars, showing one of the guiding-clips. Fig. 7 is a similar section through the braces and brace extensions, showing one of the guiding-clips. Fig. 8 is a detail cross-section through the lower end of one of the members, showing one of the re tainingsleeves.

The lower section of the ladder proper comprises the side bars 1, connected at suitable intervals by treads or steps 2, which are disposed obliquely with respect to the side bars, so as to bring said treads into a substantially horizontal position when the ladder is set up, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper section or extension part of the ladder comprises the extension side bars 3, connected by treads or steps 4, the arrangement being similar in all respects to the lower laddersection. However, the side bars 3 of the extension are arranged at a distance apart which will bring the same just inside of the side bars 1 of the lower section, so that the bars 1 will act as guides for the bars 3, the latter moving between the bars 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Furthermore, the bars 3 rest and slide against the rear edges of the treads or steps 2, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

At their upper ends the side bars 1 are provided with clips, each of which comprises a strap portion 5 and an angular hook 6, which embraces one of the bars 3 on two sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 6that is to say, upon the outer side and upon the rear edge. The clips referred to serve as guides and stays for the side bars 3 of the extension, and while allowing the extension-section of the ladder to slide upward and downward they also hold the same in proper relation to the side bars 1.

Connected pivotally to the extension-bars 3, adjacent to their lower ends, is a bailshaped catch 7, the central portion of which is straight, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and adapted to rest about centrally on any one of the treads or steps 2. Said catch also comprises the terminal arms 8, which embrace the bars 1 and have their ends pivotally connected at to the side bars 3 of the extension. The catch also comprises the abrupt bends or angular portions 10, which embrace the front edges of the bars 1, thus enabling the catch as a whole to obtain a firm and bracing hold on the bars 1 and dispose the straight central portion 7 backward from the forward edge of the tread, so that it will not interfere in the slightest with the operator in ascending or descending the ladder.

The braces 11 are arranged parallel to each other, and the brace extensions 12 are also arranged parallel to each other, but closer together than the braces 11, so as to slide between the braces 11 and in cont act therewith, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The braces 11 are connected by cross-bars 13, and the braces 12 are also connected by cross-bars 1 1. Each of the braces 11 is provided with a series of clips 15, having hooks 16, within which the braces 12 slide and by means of which they are guided in their sliding movements. In addition to the clips 15 the rear braces may be provided with bands or straps 17, extend ing continuously around them and also around the cross-bars 13, said bands or straps being riveted or otherwise fastened to the braces, as shown. At or near the lower ends of the braces 11 are sleeves 18, which when the ladder is completely folded receive the lower extremities of the extension-braces 12.

19 designates a bail-shaped catch having terminal arms 20, which are pivotally con nected at 21 to the braces 11, the straight central portion of said catch extending across the rear edges of the braces 11 and 12. The braces 11 are provided with notches 22 to receive the straight portion 19 of the catch, and the braces 12 are provided with obliquefaced notches 23 for the same. purpose, the notches 23 being of a shape somewhat resembling a saw-tooth and embodying an oblique face, so as to allow the straight portion of the catch to ride automatically by gravity into the notches 23 of the braces when the extension-braces 12 are raised or lowered with respect to the main lower braces 11.

The upper extremities of the side bars 3 and extension-braces 12 are pivotally connected by bolts 24, which pass through. caps or ferrules 25, and 26, slipped over the extremities of said bars and braces, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, said caps or ferrules completely surrounding the parts to which they are connected and being closed at their outer ends and also formed with openings to receive the pivot-bolt 24. This forms a firm connection between the upper extremities of the bars 3 and braces 12, gives a metal bearing between said parts, and also prevents splitting of the extremities of the parts to which they are connected.

27 designates a flexible stay, which is in terposed between and connected with the braces 11 and the lower section of the step member of the ladder for limiting the extent to which the extension-ladder as a whole may be opened.

I claim 1. In a step-ladder, the combination of parallel main braces provided with notches, parallel extension-braces also provided with notches and arranged to slide in contact with the inner surfaces of the main braces, and a bail-shaped catch terminally connected pivotally to one set of braces and extending across all the braces and adapted to engage the notches in the braces, substantially as described.

2. In a step-ladder, parallel side bars connected by treads or steps, clips secured to said bars and provided with angular hooks parallel extension-bars connected by treads or steps and mounted to slide between and in contact with the main side bars and rest' against the treads or steps which connect the anain side bars, and a catch comprising a straight central portion which is adapted to rest upon and extend lengthwise of the upper side of one of the steps of the lower laddersection, said catch comprising terminal arms which are pivotally connected to the extension-bars and which are bent to embrace the main side bars, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELLIS W. MILLER. Witnesses:

BENJAMIN F. BENNETT, Lnwrs S. FrsoUs. 

